bobbywett
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Are These Mushrooms Chicken of the Woods?Just found these mushrooms growing on a downed log in the woods today. Are they chicken of the woods? Are they safe to eat, and if so, how should I harvest/cook them?
Thanks,
Bob
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RichardW
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I am no expert but they dont look like COTW to me.
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nettie
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I agree - are there pictures of the underside you can post?
To me COTW is fleshier, grows in what can only be described as stacks, and is tangerine on top, and pure lemon yellow below.
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Treacodactyl
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It looks just like the CotW I've found, just a bit past it so not the best to eat - obviously don't try any on my recommendation especially when others don't agree!!
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hedgehogpie
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Oh wow. I'd say they were - what a beautiful outcrop.
COTW is edible, but I'd take care with it as it can cause tummy upsets (I've found I can no longer eat it although I used to enjoy it's taste and texture). Use it in curries, risottoes, or as a chicken substitute in any dish. When young the flesh is very soft like oyster, older pieces are almost exactly like roast chicken in flavour and texture (hence the name!).
Once you're confident that you have it id's correctly try harvesting a small piece to begin with and see how you go but don't gather any that's beginning to lose its colour or which feels tough and woody - aim for fresh, well coloured and soft growths.
Oh, and one last point. Pay attention to what it's growing on. You should avoid any growing on Yew for instance, as that tree is toxic. Fortunately our local ones favour chestnut.
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bobbywett
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Thanks for the replies folks....I'll be headed out to the woods today to gather a mess-o-hickory nuts. While I'm out there, I'll take a few more pictures of this specimen from the underside. Hope fully that will help you folks in identifying it more accurately?
I appreciate all of your help guys.
It is definitely a specimen worth photographing non the less.
Bob
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bobbywett
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New Pictures COTW....Underside of MushroomWent out today and got some pictures of the underside of the mushrooms that I think might be COTW.....what do you folks think?
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Treacodactyl
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You're in the US aren't you? Still looks like CotW to me, a bit past it for eating, but I think the US has a very similar one that's a bit more orange than the one found in the UK.
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bobbywett
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Treacodactyl,
Yes I am in the U.S., and although I not 100% sure....I do believe these are COTW's. They are a beautiful orange on top and marshmallow peep color on the underside. Definitely photo worthy.
Thanks,
Bob
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bodger
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Havent you got a friend you could invite round and try some on first ?  You need to try and get your hands on a good US guide.
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bobbywett
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bodger,
Unfortunately, I don't know too many people willing to try wild edibles. Most individuals around here prefer store bought foods.
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Slim
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Bob, what do you do with your hickory nuts? Are you gathering shagbark or pignut?
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bobbywett
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Slim,
If I've got my species information correct, they are of the shagbark variety. They had big hulls that basically fell off of the nut.
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